Lithium ion reversibly inhibits inducer‐stimulated adipose conversion of 3T3‐L1 cells

Abstract
Adipose conversion of 3T3‐L1 cells by inducers (dexamethasone, 1‐methyl‐3‐isobutylxanthine and insulin) was inhibited by LiCl at concentrations from 2 to 20 mM. The effect of LiCl was reversible and the inhibited cells were converted to adipocytes when stimulated after the removal of LiCl. Inhibition by LiCl of adipose conversion was accompanied with a blockage of the enhanced [3H]thymidine incorporation and cellular proliferation that occurred before the adipocyte phenotype was expressed. Of the cations tested, only Li+ had these effects.